Whether you are a house hunter or just someone who wants to find their forever home, it can be tempting to jump on the first good deal you find. However, you should always remain a skeptical buyer.
Water damage is one of the most common and most expensive problems a house can hide, which is why you need to know whether it is present in the property you are buying. Previous owners may have allowed the problem to develop and worsen in severity.
Here at True Plumbers & AC, we offer water damage restoration services to homes and businesses located in Lakeland, Plant City, and Winter Haven, FL.
Our team can remediate water damage on any scale, but we want to help you avoid this potentially hazardous issue at all costs. Check out these telltale signs that a property you are interested in has fallen victim to water damage.
Large Cracks in Your Property’s Structure May Indicate the Presence of Water Leaks
Do a physical inspection of your property’s floors, walls, and ceilings. If you notice any large cracks in these areas of your property’s structure, they may have developed due to long-term water exposure. The presence of water leaks is a likely culprit.
If you are not sure of the origin of these cracks, contact us today. Our leak detection technicians can determine whether water is the culprit without opening walls, and cracks in a concrete floor often trace back to a slab leak. From there, we will develop an effective course of action to restore the condition of your home.
Water Stains and Swollen Drywall Are Obvious Signs of Water Damage
Water stains are a very common sign of water damage, and they are pretty easy to spot. Plus, they tend to show up earlier than large cracks do.
Water stains are usually yellow and take the form of circular rings on your home’s floors, walls, and ceilings. Our list of the early signs of a water leak covers the ones that are easier to miss.
If you notice any water stains in any area of your property, be sure to contact our water damage restoration experts. We will determine the source of water damage and correct it to prevent more serious issues from developing. Where the leak has already soaked the structure, water mitigation is the first step and drying comes before any repairs.
Even if you do not notice any coloring, your property’s drywall may be obviously swollen if it has sustained water damage. Swollen drywall becomes prevalent when a property has excess moisture, so be on the lookout for swollen or bubbled up sections of your property’s walls. In Florida, an air conditioning system with a clogged condensate line is a frequent and easily missed cause, and we explain how that happens here.
A Bad Smell Is Indicative of Mold Growth and Some Accompanying Water Damage
If there is an unexplained bad smell present on your property, mold growth may be the cause. Mold thrives in moist environments, so it may be accompanied by underlying water damage.
Various descriptions of its smell include rotten wood or paper. It is a generally earthy or musty smell. You can also keep an eye out for a slimy or fuzzy substance growing on your home’s ceilings, floors, and walls. A sour smell coming from a drain instead of the walls usually points at a sewer backup or a failing drain field rather than a hidden leak.
If you suspect mold growth is occurring on your property, call our team today. We can determine if mold is present and then perform our water damage restoration services to eliminate excess moisture from your home or business. Homes that took on water from a storm rather than a pipe need flood restoration, and burst-pipe discoveries during a walkthrough are a job for our emergency plumbers. Call (863) 667-6364 before you sign anything.
